Self-touching usually falls into a class of body language behaviors known as Manipulators, Adaptors or Pacifiers (MAPs). Facial self-touching, with rare exception, should never be displayed by a politician/physician/CEO/leader of any type, unless he/she is in private. In general MAPs signal increased anxiety and sometimes deception (depending on what other nonverbals clustered with it). MAPs will transmit feelings of anxiety to the audience - even if it's just one person. I've seen far too many attorneys display a similar face in the courtroom - and you can bet the jury/judge/their client "feels" this anxiety too.

The President elect (who will take office in December 2012) also is displaying a mild amount of mid-face tension - particularly in the "mustache area" above the upper lip. His upper lip itself also displays a trace amount of thinning - which also is an anger indicator. The tension doesn't stop there though - for he is displaying a trace-to-mild amount of nostril flaring, also seen with anger and disgust.

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This website serves as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.

Body Language Success

This website serves as a reference source for the art and science of Body Language/Nonverbal Communication. The views and opinions expressed on this website are those of the author. In an effort to be both practical and academic, many examples from/of varied cultures, politicians, professional athletes, legal cases, public figures, etc., are cited in order to teach and illustrate both the interpretation of others’ body language as well as the projection of one’s own nonverbal skills in many different contexts – not to advance any political, religious or other agenda.